Wyatt loses key post

Vanquished West Australian Labor Party leadership challenger
Ben Wyatt
has been grounded. He has lost his key role of shadow treasurer.

However, he has managed to retain a spot on Opposition Leader
Eric Ripper
’s frontbench as spokesman for federal-state relations.

Opposition transport spokesman
Ken Travers
will act as shadow treasurer until Mr Ripper returns from holiday later this month and decides on a permanent line-up for his shadow ministerial team.

Mr Wyatt launched a wild 48-hour tilt at the leadership last week, following a plunge in the party's electoral fortunes.

After consulting his Right faction colleagues he thought he had the numbers needed to roll Mr Ripper, but two days later spectacularly called off his challenge after support evaporated. Mr Wyatt’s supporters say the young tyro was supported to his face then double-crossed by the Right faction and some MPs on the party’s left.

WA Labor has suffered a dive in opinion polls to a NSW-style 29 per cent under Mr Ripper.

Mr Ripper said yesterday Mr Wyatt had given him assurances about loyalty, and he wanted him as part of a strong team to take on the Barnett government.

“Opposition is tough work and WA Labor will commit to the hard work required in a united way," he said.